Camera tripod clutch



Nov. 3, 1931. E. MAYER CAMERA TRIFOD CLUTCH Filed July 26. 1929 mix u EYs Patented Nov. 3, 19.31

UNITED STATES Q APAIEZNT OFFICE EMIL MAYRR, or VIENNA, AUSTRIA, AssIGNoR To DRRM PRODUCTS CORPORATION,

or NRW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION or NEW YORK CAMERA TRIPOD. CLUTCH Application lecl July 26, 1929, Serial No My invention relates to a new and improved camera tripod clutch.

One of the objects of my invention is to produce a simple and ellicient device for locking or clutching a camera to a tripod, so that the device has a minimum number of parts and can be readily assembled and taken apart.

Another object of my invention is tO produce a device whereby the camera will be urged in an axial direction to be frictionally clamped against the clutch.

Another object of my invention is to produce a device having a laterally movable member or members, that is, a member ory members which move in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tripod, which shall operate against an inclined surface to force the camera in an axial direction.

Another object of my invention is to produce a camera lock or clutch which shall operate by a turning movement of a single actuating member.

Other objects of my invention will be set forth in the following description and drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof, it being understood that the above general statement of the objects of my invention is intended to generally explain the same without limiting it in any manner. Y

Fig. 1 is a perspective viewof the improved device. j

Fig. 2 is a. sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

of Fig. 2.

The device comprises a base plate 3 having upstanding flanges 17 provided with enlarged ends of circular peripheral contour, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Said lianges 17 have parallel adjacent walls which serve to guide the movement of the clutch jaw or jaws. j

A casing 1 is connected to base 3 by clamping screws 2, which as shown in Fig. 3, engage the enlarged ends of anges 17.

rlhe base late 3 is immovably connected to tripod T y a tripod screw T which engages the threaded wall of a recess in said base plate..

locking position shown in Fig,` 1; Fig. 3 1s a sectional view on the l1ne 3-3 Y l331,108, alla` in Gennari April 25,1929.

I Thev camera C has'a holding screw 14 connected thereto,and said screw 14 has a tapered head I13 (shown as frustrO-conical in this embodiment) provided with diametrical opposite lugs 15. j l i The j awsA 11 have inner linurled faces, and the head 13 may 'also be knurled. The lugs 15 could be omitted without departing from the invention.V j f l The jaws 11 have upstanding ,bosses 10 which are located in eccentric or cam grooves or slotsvS of an actuating ring 5, provided with y'radially extending arms 6, which Vhave i projections 7 .l The ring 5 abuts aV friction washer 4 connectedfto the inner surface of the top of casing 1. The periphery of'ring 5 lits against the vertical wall of casing 1, so that thea'ctuating ringo is turnably held within the casing. The friction washer 4,'

made'of leather or other suitable material, prevents:thering 5 from shifting from the "position to which it is adjusted., I

''lt'wouloh ot be departlng'from'the invention tosubstitute anysuitable form of fricr tion device for the washer 1.Vv Y

Y' Thcasing lis provided with diametrically opposite L -shaped 'slots having vertical branches- 13'a'n'd horizontal branches 19.

' The'parts canbe `assembled by holding thev arms G aligned with vertical branches 18.

j j 'Vlhetopfof the casing 1 is provided with aligned radial recesses 16, with: which the lugs 15`are aligned when the device is in the When the rin'g ,'s turned from the posiltion shown in Fig.'1, the cam grooves 8 oper- 'ate to retract the jaws 11 from the head 13, thus releasing the camera screw 14; so that the camera C can be turned in any desired direction, or can be removed from the tripod. They tapered head 13 can then be inserted throughl the opening 12 in the top of the vcasing torest against the base plate.

When the ring/5 is turned until its arms occupy the position shown in Fig. 1, the jaws 11 are moved to clamp head 13.

As shown in Fig. 2, the inner clamping walls of jaws 11 are inclined, so that when they press on the tapered head 13, a powerful axial pressure is exerted against screw 14,

so that the bottom of camera C is powerfully` urged against the top of casing 1, which has a suitable yielding friction surface, so that the camera is locked in position, not only by 5 the lateral clampingaction of aws 11 but b the powerful axial clamping forceproduce lThe use of the axial clamping force i's wholly new, and it may be employed independent of the other features disclosed herein. Y, j 1n The side-wallsof the head 13 could be ofcircular contour instead of having the straight line contour shown, so,k tha't4 saidf head 13 could be a portion of a sphere for example, the'jaws 13 having vCorresponding i5 concave knurled clamping surfaces. The

screw could be replaced by any member havi l i' i` ing atapered head. s Y j j i The device can comprise a single movable 'Y clamping jaw, or more than two movable clamping jaws, without departing'from the invention', the essential feature beingto exert y vf" f* r l a vertical force on the camera. A

Although I' have shown and described the ldeviceas being held in the vertical position, '4' y I it is clear that the actionis the same if it is held in any position. ,c Y I have-shown av preferred embodiment of my invention, but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions could be made without 3U departing from its spirit..

I claim: l. A camera tripodl clutch comprisingA a base platefconnected to a casing, said baseV plate vhaving upstanding yflanges provided v A', with parallel adjacentwalls to form a guide, 1- 1 f* saidflanges beinglocated'within said casing, ,clamping jaws slidably located insaid'guide, said jawshavin'gv inclined adjacent walls j y adaptedto engage aftapered memberandfto axially urge the same, a'turnabley ringlocated in said casing and having eccentric grooves, said jaws having basses located-fin v `said grooves', and means projecting from said casing t-.o turn said ring, f

2. A camera tripod clutch comprisinga e i 'i base plate, a casing connectedto'saidVv base plate and having an ILV-shaped slot provided ,l

with a branch which is. substantially perri" ,Y pendicular to. said', base plateA and another n branch which is substantially parallel to'said Y base plate, guide means connected to said Vhase plate and located within said casing, jaw .means slidably mounted in said guiY e means, and a turnable actuating device for said' jaw means having an arm projecting from and movable in said parallel branch. In testimony wher eof I aiiix my signature.

EMIL 

